News Releases

Public Hearings in January on Deer and Moose Regulations

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board will hold three public hearings on January 3, 4 and 5 to discuss proposed changes to deer and moose hunting regulations.

“The public is encouraged to attend to learn more about these proposals and to provide their input,” said Vermont Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche. “They also can read the current wording of the proposed regulations by going to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website.”

Proposals for Deer Hunting

Muzzleloader deer hunting would include a new four-day antlerless-only season starting the Thursday following Columbus Day, the second Monday in October, when a person with an antlerless permit could take antlerless deer by muzzleloader. The existing nine-day December muzzleloader deer season starting the first Saturday after the rifle season would remain unchanged. Antlerless deer permits would be valid for both October and December muzzleloader hunting.

Archery deer hunting would be allowed October 1 through 31 except for the four days of the October antlerless muzzleloader season. The existing nine days of archery deer hunting in December, starting the first Saturday after the rifle season would remain unchanged. Up to three deer, only one of which could be a legal buck, would be allowed during the split archery deer hunting season. During archery season, a hunter would be allowed to take one legal buck anywhere in the state and antlerless deer in specific Wildlife Management Units if allowed annually by the Board.

The annual limit of three deer, TWO of which may be LEGAL BUCKS, would remain in effect for archery, youth, rifle and muzzleloader deer hunting seasons.

Proposals for Moose Hunting

An archery moose hunting season is proposed for seven days starting the first Saturday in October when a moose of either sex may be taken. Fifty hunting permits would be allowed annually in the same Wildlife Management Units as for the regular moose season.

The regular moose hunting season for taking a moose of either sex by firearms or archery would be for six days starting the third Saturday in October.

Two separate lotteries for moose hunting permits would be held, one for each season.

Regulations and Hearings

The new proposed deer and moose regulations are posted on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Click on “About Us” on the left, and then “Fish and Wildlife Board” to see the wording of the regulations.